British Marine Aggregate Producers Association,

Historic England and The Crown Estate

Marine Aggregate Industry Protocol for the Reporting of
Finds of Archaeological Interest

Annual Report to BMAPA

2019–2020
November 2020
Marine Aggregate Industry Protocol for the Reporting of
Finds of Archaeological Interest

British Marine Aggregate Producers Association,

Historic England and The Crown Estate

Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

November 2020

Prepared by
wessex
archaeology
 Celebrating the
15th Anniversary of the
Protocol
for the Reporting of Finds of Archaeological Interest
Protocol background
The Marine Aggregate Industry Archaeological Protocol (the
Protocol) is in place to ensure the protection of submerged
cultural heritage that may be discovered during marine
aggregate industry dredging works.
Prior to a licence being granted to dredge a proposed area, an
intensive investigation is undertaken to identify potential
archaeological material on the seabed. Using geophysical and
geotechnical survey data, and analysis of available records
from various sources, archaeologists can identify known and
suspected sites of archaeological interest within aggregate
extraction regions. The known and protected sites are
protected through Archaeological Exclusion Zones (AEZs) to
ensure that no harm comes to them through dredging
activities. Even after this level of investigation, unidentified
sites and especially individual artefacts may still be found
within dredged cargoes. In response to this, the Protocol was
proposed to define a framework through which archaeological
material could be identified, reported, investigated and,
crucially, protected. The Protocol ensures that any items of
potential heritage importance recovered during aggregate
Access
Conditions relating to archaeology are placed on marine
licences issued for marine aggregate extraction, which
require the results of archaeological investigations to be
reported to the relevant bodies.
Once a find is reported to the Protocol Implementation
Service, it is researched and compiled into a report.
Details of the dredged finds are then sent to:
• the Site Champion who reported it;
• the Nominated Contact;
• Historic England;
• BMAPA;
• The Crown Estate;
• The National Record of the Historic
Environment (NRHE); and
• the appropriate local Historic Environment
Record (HER).
If considered wreck material, finds are also reported to
the Receiver of Wreck in compliance with the Merchant
Shipping Act 1995 and they ascertain a droit number.
1. https://www.facebook.com/marineaggregateindustryarchaeologicalprotocol
2. https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/our-work/marine-aggregate-industry-protocol-reporting-finds-archaeological-interest
dredging, whether encountered on the seabed, on a dredging
vessel, or more commonly, at a wharf after a cargo is
landed, can be properly reported, assessed, recorded and
archived. In some instances, further mitigation or monitoring
may be required.
Wessex Archaeology drafted the Protocol in 2005 on behalf of
English Heritage (now Historic England) and the British Marine
Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA).
BMAPA member companies have adopted the scheme
voluntarily since 2006, though adherence to the Protocol has
become a formal condition of consent for new marine licences
and the re-licensing of existing licence areas. The Crown Estate
joined BMAPA in 2009 to co-fund the Protocol Implementation
Service.
When a find is encountered, it is reported through a Site
Champion on the wharf or the vessel to a Nominated Contact
who alerts the Implementation Service, which is operated by
Wessex Archaeology.
All aircraft material is reported to the Ministry of Defence as
it may be protected under the Protection of Military
Remains Act 1986.
Marine finds were previously reported to the NRHE,
however the NRHE is now changing, and will soon become
the National Marine Heritage Record (NMHR).
All finds, old and new are also published on the Marine
Aggregate Industry Archaeological Protocol Facebook page1
that was set up in March 2017.
Each annual report also publishes all the finds reported
during that reporting year, and they are all available to
download2.
In addition, the discoveries and achievements of the staff
involved with the Protocol are acknowledged through
various publications produced by Wessex Archaeology,
including the biannual Dredged Up newsletter, also
available to download via the previous link.
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Raising awareness
The Protocol Awareness Programme is funded by BMAPA and is available to support and train individual Site
The Crown Estate and implemented by Wessex Archaeology. Champions to ensure that new and existing staff are
Members of the Protocol Implementation Team promote familiar with the Protocol, either in person, over the
awareness of the Protocol and keep awareness materials up to telephone or via email;
date as well as visiting several wharves each year to maintain
a close relationship with the staff. To have consistency, it is
often the same member of the team visiting the wharves
where possible. Emails between the Implementation Team and
the wharf managers and Site Champions are encouraged
throughout the year to keep a consistent flow of
communication. Through emails, phone calls and during the
visits, questions can be answered, and feedback is gathered
so that we can further improve the delivery and content of the
Protocol. Awareness is also promoted to the wharves and
vessels through the biannual Dredged Up newsletter.

The Protocol Awareness Programme:

delivers in-person training by an archaeologist during

awareness visits to wharves, aiding industry staff to
identify several different types of archaeological finds
through interactive slides as well as the process of
reporting and conserving finds of archaeological interest
discovered on the wharf. As of 2020, the training also
sets out guidelines on what to do if a find is suspected to
contain asbestos;
as of 2019, produces promotional material in the form of
branded photo scale cards and mugs delivered to each
wharf and vessel enrolled in the scheme; and
as of 2019, produces biosecurity awareness material
and delivers basic training as an add on to the
archaeological awareness training.

demonstrates the different types of finds from a range of

various ages that can be encountered by allowing wharf
staff to handle a collection of finds that were previously
been reported through the Protocol;

produces the biannual Dredged Up newsletter which

aims to publicise the Protocol and highlight recent finds
and news. The newsletter is sent out to each Nominated
Contact, wharf and vessel that implements the Protocol.
The most recent issue, Issue 27 printed in Autumn
2020, and all previous Dredged Up newsletters, can be
found online1

raises Protocol awareness amongst third parties, such as

geotechnical and environmental survey companies
working on behalf of the marine aggregate industry;
Biosecurity poster (top) and
booklet (right)
1. http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/projects/marine/bmapa/dredged-up

2
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Visits to wharves
Unfortunately due to Covid-19, no Protocol Awareness Visits
have been made this year. However, contact has been
maintained through emails, phone calls and social media.

Once it is safe for visits to resume, if you would like to arrange

a Protocol Awareness Visit in future, or would like to receive
more advice on finds and finds reporting, please contact
Wessex Archaeology via protocol@wessexarch.co.uk. Training
could also be provided remotely and has been successfully
done so in the past should any wharf urgently need any for
newcomers. Just get in touch.

The training sessions that take place usually last around

30 minutes to minimise disruption to the work of the wharf
and are often split in to two or three sessions so that the wharf
can continue working with a rotation of staff. The sessions are
designed to be informal and involve an interactive
presentation to explain the different ways archaeology can
reach the seabed and what to do if it is found in the cargo
landed at the wharf. The reporting process is also discussed
as there have been instances where a Site Champion of a
wharf may prefer to report the material directly to the Protocol
Implementation Team rather than going through the
Nominated Contact. A member of the Implementation Team
brings an array of archaeological finds previously reported Training certificates are sent out to the Site Champions to give
through the Protocol that wharf staff can handle and discuss. to all wharf staff who receive the awareness training so that
The training also sets out guidelines on what to do if a find is they may add them to their working portfolios. These are
suspected to contain asbestos and UXO. A member of the emailed to each Site Champion or wharf manager after a
Implementation Team also brings handouts, laminated scale wharf is visited. Additionally, a feedback form is also handed to
sheets and branded photo scale cards. Questions can be the attending wharf staff at the end of each visit (or emailed)
asked at any time during the training and a discussion is in order to gather comments and suggestions so that we can
usually had at the end of the presentation. The handouts are continue to make improvements to Protocol Awareness and
designed to be left at the wharf to enable the Site Champions the way we deliver the training.
to induct future new employees for current employees to
refresh their memories. The Protocol Implementation Team Contact is maintained through regular emails, the Facebook
firmly believe that these visits are key to the success of the page, the annual report and the Dredged Up newsletter.
scheme as it promotes enthusiasm and resolves issues. As
well as delivering the training, the visits allow the Protocol
Implementation Team to maintain contact with wharves and
vessels, keep the content fresh, boost interest in the Protocol
and promote it to both new and existing staff.

All archaeological awareness materials can be accessed

through the Protocol pages on Wessex Archaeology’s website1
and are available in English, Dutch and French.

1. http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/projects/marine/bmapa/docs.html
3
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Reporting process
Archaeological finds discovered by wharf and vessel staff
are reported through a Site Champion to the designated
Nominated Contact of the company that owns the wharf or
vessel. The Nominated Contact uploads the images and
preliminary form to the secure online console1. In some
cases, the Site Champion will report finds directly to the
console rather than through the Nominated Contact. The
console alerts the Protocol Implementation Service
operated by Wessex Archaeology and the find is added to
the database before the Receiver of Wreck is notified if the
find is classed as wreck material. If classed as wreck
material, the Nominated Contact is asked to sign the
Receiver of Wreck form, prepared by the Implementation
Service, and send it directly to their office. The find is
investigated and occasionally sent to external specialists to
identify before a report is produced. Most of the reports are
presented on an A4 page and will have an image of the
object taken with a scale for reference (see reports for
2019–2020 at the back of this report).
The Implementation Team at Wessex Archaeology then
communicates directly with the Nominated Contact
and/or Site Champion regarding the archaeological
importance of the discovery, and conservation and
storage recommendations.
It has been positive that despite Covid-19, reporting
through the console has still continued.
The Nominated Contacts for each company are
detailed below.

BMAPA Company Nominated Contacts Position

Britannia Aggregates Ltd Richard Fifield Marine Resources Manager

CEMEX UK Marine Ltd Samantha Ringwood GIS & Licence Co-ordinator
DEME Building Materials Ltd Christophe Matton Marine Resources Manager
Tom Janssens General Manager
Hanson Aggregates Marine Ltd Nigel Griffiths Principal Resources Manager
Patrick Mallon Marine Licensing & Compliance Co-ordinator
Isle of Wight Aggregates Edward Skinner Marine Resources Co-ordinator
Kendall Bros Ltd Paul Stevens Managing Director
Tarmac Marine Edward Skinner Marine Resources Co-ordinator
Volker Dredging Ltd Will Drake General Manager

1. http://net.wessexarch.co.uk/bmapa/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fbmapa%2findex.aspx

4
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Hanson_0035
mammoth tusk
reported in 2006

Purfleet Aggregates staff with tusk (2006)

Fifteen Years of the Protocol

In 2019–2020, the Protocol celebrated 15 successful years!
During this year, 202 individual finds were reported through
the Protocol (from 35 reports) including Palaeolithic handaxes,
mammoth teeth, munitions, pottery, and a post-medieval jug.
These have been added to a database of over 2000 finds
reported since the launch of the scheme in 2005.
Without the reporting process, finds from marine sand and
gravel would most likely never have entered the archaeological
record. Dredgers allow us to access areas of the seabed
otherwise physically unexplored, and the vigilance of wharf
and vessel staff allows these discoveries to be shared more
widely. The reporting procedure laid out in the Protocol is
designed to allow users to follow a time-effective process of
documenting and reporting finds to the Nominated Contact or
Implementation Team at Wessex Archaeology. The team aim to
identify and conduct research on the find before producing a
short report and sharing the information with marine
aggregate industry staff and the named authorities. In the
event that the team cannot identify the object, an in-house or
external specialist will be contacted to ensure that the utmost
is done to provide a background and relative age on the
reported find.
interest discovered within cargoes without the need of an
archaeologist being present. Because of the success of the
Protocol, the model has been adapted and implemented for
use in several other industries. The Offshore Renewables
Protocol for Archaeological Discoveries (ORPAD), having
commenced in 2010 is now equally well-established. In
addition, 2016 saw a reinterpretation of the Protocol principles
for non-industry audiences, with the launch of the Marine
Antiquities Scheme (MAS)2 aimed at encouraging coastal users
to report any finds they encounter. Wessex Archaeology also
continues to run scheme-specific protocols for other
development projects based on the marine aggregate
industry model.
Further information about the Protocol and the Protocol
Implementation Service is available online1.
To contact the Protocol Implementation Service, email
protocol@wessexarch.co.uk or phone 01722 326 867.

Due to Covid-19, we were unable to visit the wharves to give

the archaeological awareness training this year, however,
communications between some Site Champions and the
Implementation team were upheld via email.

The number of reports each year and the ongoing success of

the Protocol confirms that it is as relevant now as it was in
2005. The support of the marine aggregate industry has once
again been substantial, with the continued high standard of
reporting of archaeological finds through the Protocol and
the welcome that is received by the awareness staff during
wharf visits.

Through the implementation of the Protocol, the marine

aggregate industry has demonstrated that this is a cost- 0 50 mm
effective mitigation option for protecting cultural heritage that
is both fragile and finite. The Protocol Awareness Programme DEME_0957 metal jug found in 2020. Side view showing owner’s
trains staff to recognise and report finds of archaeological mark (left) and view revealing the bearded head decoration (right)

1. https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/our-work/marine-aggregate-industry-protocol-reporting-finds-archaeological-interest
2. https://marinefinds.org.uk

5
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Dredged Up newsletter
In 2019–2020, two issues of the biannual Dredged Up
newsletter were produced; issue 26 and issue 27.
Issue 26 was released online in March 2020 on the Marine
Aggregate facebook page as well as all Wessex Archaeology
social media platforms, and outlined some of the year’s finds
as well as publishing the winners of the annual Finds Awards.
We also had a look at the new finds that were recently
recovered from Area 240 and also highlighted the importance
of asbestos awareness. The electronic copies were released on
social media platforms and circulated via email. The hard
copies were delayed due to Covid-19 and were distributed in
August 2020.
Historic England, the Receiver of Wreck and a variety of other
organisations, individuals and the general public during
conferences and events. A wider audience is reached through
a digital copy of the newsletter that is downloadable from the
Wessex Archaeology website1 and relevant social media pages2
as well as LinkedIn3.
The newsletters promote the operation of the Protocol to a
wide audience and also provide a positive showcase for the
industry’s activities. They are also an important tool for raising
and maintaining awareness and interest by publicising
dredged finds and the dredging process.

Issue 27 was distributed in October 2020 and celebrated the

success of the last 15 years by re-visiting old finds awards
winners as well as taking a look at the stats on which company
has reported the most since 2005 and which Licence Areas
in particular they have originated from. The issue also explored
some of the other work that Wessex Archaeology’s Coastal
& Marine team do at some aggregate wharves and why we
do this.

The newsletters are distributed to every wharf, all vessels and

BMAPA member companies as well as The Crown Estate,
Newsletter issues 26 and 27

1. https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/our-work/marine-aggregate-industry-protocol-reporting-finds-archaeological-interest
2. https://www.facebook.com/wessexarch and https://www.facebook.com/marineaggregateindustryarchaeologicalprotocol
3. https://www.linkedin.com/company/wessex-archaeology

Training for the Implementation Team

During this year, members of the Implementation Team Marine Archaeology training Level 1 and 2. The knowledge
undertook additional training in asbestos and in the gained from these courses will aid in the awareness
identification of UXO. training and in the general running of the Protocol as well
as understanding some of the procedures that occur at the
All members of the team attended a one day course on the wharves with regards to ordnance.
Management of Asbestos with special reference to asbestos
content and legislation compliance in military artefacts and
vehicles presented by Simon Houghton of Brandon
Environmental. As a result of the training, information on
asbestos was presented in Issue 26 of Dredged Up and the
awareness presentation was updated accordingly.
The team also attended Ramora UK’s facility in Gosport for
two days and all achieved a certificate in UXO Awareness in Examples of finds that could contain asbestos

6

CEMEX_0915
shoe fragment
0 20 mm
0 100 mm
CEMEX_0915 aircraft components
Finds Awards
The 2018–2019 Finds Awards were made to the following
wharf and vessels, published in Issue 26 of Dredged Up.
Best Attitude by a Wharf
In 2018–2019, the winner of the best attitude by a wharf
was CEMEX Angerstein Wharf. In May 2019, staff at the wharf
discovered a collection of fragmented aircraft material in a
cargo dredged from Licence Area 511. As there had been a
large turnover of staff at the wharf since the last wharf visit,
they were unsure on the procedure of reporting the finds. They
got in contact with a member of the Implementation Team at
Wessex Archaeology who was able to guide them through the
reporting process over the phone. A member of the team gave
an awareness visit to the wharf within a week of them
contacting us. We would like to thank Angerstein Wharf for
making contact when they were unsure what to do and for
working with us to educate all the members of staff on the
correct reporting methods. Since then, more aircraft and
munitions have been successfully reported by the wharf
(CEMEX_0914, 0915 and 0920).
CEMEX_0920 munitions
Best Attitude by a Vessel
Two vessels won this award! Congratulations to Tarmac’s City
of Westminster and to Hanson’s Arco Beck. Thank you to all
vessels that has reported finds through the Protocol over the
past reporting year.
Tarmac’s City of Westminster discovered an aircraft propeller
blade (Tarmac_0907) in Licence Area 430 in the East Coast
dredging region, approximately 28 km east-south-east
of Southwold.
This aircraft propeller blade was found by Chaminda
Tennekoon in the draghead of the vessel where it was
removed to deck and photographed. Images of the find were
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020
CEMEX_0914 aircraft components
sent to Steve Vizard, an external aircraft specialist, and to Bob
Clarke, an aircraft specialist at Wessex Archaeology. Bob said
that metal propeller blades made of aluminium alloy
(duralumin) came into production in the late 1930s, mainly in
America, with Britain following suit in the 1940s. He said that
the hollow hub is characteristic and used for balancing. The
curve that can be seen on the propeller blade is distinctive
evidence of damage to a rotating prop hitting water. Steve said
that it is a British blade from an RAF aircraft and that the
configuration of the blade, the way it would be attached to the
actual hub unit, at its base, strongly indicates that it is a
DeHavilland type prop unit. Unfortunately, this would not tell us
the aircraft type, as the DeHavilland propellers were fitted to a
variety of different RAF aircraft throughout the Second World
War. He said it could, however, be from an early Spitfire, or at
least from that period.
Combining all the aircraft material now recovered from Area
430, it would seem that they represent three different aircraft
and varied nationalities; with American, German and now a
possibly British part having been discovered.
From Hanson’s Arco Beck Malcolm discovered and reported a
vertebra, discovered in Licence Area 240 in the East Coast
dredging region approximately 10 km east of Great Yarmouth.
Professor Adrian Lister from the Natural History Museum
viewed the photos and concluded that this is the second neck
vertebra (axis vertebra) of an elephant. Without detailed
comparisons, he could not say what species it is, but its size is
consistent with woolly mammoth and as it was found in the
same deposit as a woolly mammoth tooth (Hanson_0927),
that is a probable ID. Mammuthus primigenius or woolly
mammoth were in existence in Europe during the late Middle
and Late Pleistocene, dating from 350,000 to 10,000
thousand years ago.
Tarmac_0907 propeller blade
7
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Best Find
The best find of the 2018–2019 reporting year went to
CEMEX_0908; a submarine pyrotechnic discovered in Licence
Area 137 in the South Coast dredging region, approximately
10 km south of the Needles. Michael Pettitt, Tim Bethune and
Mark Nichols discovered it at Shoreham Wharf.

The first element of this find is a broken metal cylindrical tube

that measures 820 mm long and 70 mm wide that appears to
be made of aluminium with an associated brass mechanism,
inscribed with ‘Ejector No. 2 MK I/L ll MB/44' as well as the
Navy Broad arrow. Wire and a series of electrical components
are also visible. The second component of this find is a canvas
parachute that, despite a few holes, was complete with the
remains of the string that would have held it to its origin.
Images were sent to our in-house specialists Alistair Byford-
Bates, Bob Davis and Bob Clarke. Alistair and Bob Davis both
said that it looked ‘percussive’ and suggested that both finds
were connected.

After research, it has been suggested that this find is an

example of a Submarine Emergency Identification Signal, Star,
Mk 2 Mod 2 or Mk 3 Mod 0. They were for use exclusively with
the submarine signal ejector and were ejected by compressed
air. On rising to the surface of the water, Submarine
Emergency Identification Signals Mk 2 Mod 2 and Mk 3 Mod 0
project a Single Star Grenade Mk 5 to a height of 250 feet
(76 m), where a parachute would open to support the star,
which would burn for approximately 13 seconds. The complete
signal was available in one of three colours, red, green or
yellow and should not have been ejected at depths greater
than 160 feet (79 m), as the time required to reach the
surface was limited to the 27 seconds allowed by the fuse.
They consisted of a buoyant tube of aluminium 18.5 inches
(470 mm) long and three inches (76 mm) in diameter, which CEMEX_0908 canvas parachute
contained the Single-Star Grenade Mk 5 Mod 0. Early issues of
Submarine Emergency Identification Signal Mk 2 Mod 2
contained either Smoke Grenade Mk 3, for day use, or Three- unfortunately is a standard size and therefore cannot be
Star Grenade Mk 4, for night operation. identified further. He said it may not be associated with the
other find.
Bob Clarke had a different idea for the find. He said it looks
more like a 2-inch UP (unrotated projectile) Anti-Aircraft Rocket This item is believed to date to the Second World War, where it
which were successfully deployed in the anti-aircraft Z may have been deployed as a flare from a submarine. It is not
Batteries, operated by the Home Guard. He said the chute possible to confirm whether both finds are associated with
looks to be 5 feet (1.5 m) based on the images, which each other at this time although it is believed to be the case.

0 100 mm
CEMEX_0908

8
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

CEMEX_0952 tooth
0 50 mm CEMEX_0951 bone

CEMEX_0952 tooth

0 50 mm
0 100 mm

Hanson_0936_001 hand axe

CEMEX_0964 brass weight

Protocol reports
During the 15th year of operation, Wessex Archaeology
received 35 reports through the Protocol Implementation
Service. These reports encompassed details of 202
separate finds. Further details of each discovery are
shown below and included in the wharf reports
appended to this report.

Finds reported in 2019–2020

Report ID Licence Area Region Wharf/Vessel Description No.

DEME_0932 351 South Coast Vessel Large munition 1
CEMEX_0933 137 South Coast Wharf Hook 1
CEMEX_0934 340 South Coast Wharf Two plastic tubes 2
Hanson_0935 240 East Coast Vessel Mammoth tooth 1
Hanson_0936 240 East Coast Wharf Collection of flints 3
Hanson_0937 240 East Coast Wharf Collection of bones 26
Hanson_0938 240 East Coast Wharf Collection of flints 27
Hanson_0939 240 East Coast Wharf Collection of bones 85
Hanson_0940 240 East Coast Wharf Shell casing 1
Hanson_0941 240 East Coast Wharf Pottery sherd 1
Hanson_0943 240 East Coast Vessel Hook 1
CEMEX_0944 340 South Coast Wharf Bullets 4
CEMEX_0945 340 South Coast Wharf Munition 1
CEMEX_0946 340 South Coast Wharf Munitions 4
CEMEX_0947 340 South Coast Wharf Munition 1
CEMEX_0948 511 or 512 East Coast Wharf Collection of bones and 8
aircraft pieces
CEMEX_0951 & 460 or 512 East English Channel Wharf Collection of bones 4
CEMEX_0952 or East Coast
Hanson_0953 401/2 East Coast Wharf Metal finds including pipe 6
cover and gasket
Hanson_0954 240 East Coast Wharf Three bullets 3
Hanson_0955 240 East Coast Vessel Bone 1
CEMEX_0956 137 South Coast Wharf Munition 1
DEME_0957 340 South Coast Wharf Jug 1
Hanson_0958 240 East Coast Wharf Two animal bones 2
Hanson_0959 401/2 East Coast Wharf Two shells 2
Hanson_0960 401/2 East Coast Wharf Two bullets 2
DEME_0961 351 South Coast Vessel Large munition 1
CEMEX_0962 137 South Coast Wharf Possible flare casing 1
CEMEX_0964 460 or 512 East English Channel Wharf Brass weight 1
or East Coast
Hanson_0965 401/2 East Coast Wharf Shell casing 1
Hanson_0966 401/2 East Coast Wharf Shell casing 1
Hanson_0967 401/2 East Coast Wharf Bullet 1
CEMEX_0968 137 South Coast Wharf Pottery sherd 1
Hanson_0969 240 East Coast Vessel Tusk fragment 1
Hanson_0970 240 East Coast Vessel Mammoth bone 1
CEMEX_0971 514/1 Humber Vessel Metal debris 4

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Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Specialists
If a new find cannot be successfully identified by a member of
the Protocol Implementation Service team at Wessex
Archaeology, or if more information is needed, experts both
in-house and from external companies and organisations are
consulted. Since the implementation of the Protocol in 2005,
the collection of willing and valuable experts we consult has
grown to include a range of fields. The table below provides a
list of the specialists who gave advice during the 2019–2020
reporting year. Specialists that we have contacted in the past
but not during this operational year are still included in Wessex
Archaeology’s internal lists but have been omitted from the
table below. We are extremely grateful to all the specialists
who have assisted in the identification of Protocol finds over
the last 15 years.

Expert Advice given concerning Institution/Organisation

Euan McNeil Maritime artefacts Wessex Archaeology

Alistair Byford-Bates Maritime artefacts Wessex Archaeology
Graham Scott Maritime artefacts Wessex Archaeology
Paolo Croce Maritime artefacts Wessex Archaeology
Phil Andrews Terrestrial artefacts Wessex Archaeology
Lorrain Higbee Zooarchaeology Wessex Archaeology
Phil Harding Flint artefacts Wessex Archaeology
Lorraine Mepham Pottery Wessex Archaeology
Rachael Seager Smith Pottery Wessex Archaeology
Dr Adrian Lister Mammoth remains Natural History Museum
Simon Parfitt Animal bones Natural History Museum
Dr Silvia Bello Cut marks on bone Natural History Museum
Anthony Mansfield Mechanics and engineering Senior Naval Engineer
Trevor Parker Ordnance Ordnance Society
Steve Vizard Aircraft Airframe Assemblies

Teeth marks on Hanson_0937_001 scapula bone identified by Dr Silvia Bello (above). See Case Study 2 for more details

10
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

LTM_0581
antique dive regulator

Hanson_0171 sherd of
Roman samian ware

Tarmac_0320
UMD_0062 rudder ship’s log
Britannia_0228 ship’s badge
pedal from aircraft for HMS Cavendish

Case Study 1 – Looking back at Fifteen Years of Protocol

To celebrate 15 successful years of the Protocol, we thought it
Company Number of Number of
would be interesting to look back at previous finds and analyse
finds reports
the statistics. We looked at how many finds each company has
reported since 2005 up to 30 September 2020. This provides Tarmac 413 274
an update on the data presented in Dredged Up Cemex 515 153
issue 27. By looking at the table below, it may seem that LTM 102 84
CEMEX were the winners; however, over the years Tarmac has Hanson 444 131
had many names including Lafartarm, Lafarge and LTM UMA 429 88
therefore, they are the clear winners with a total of 528 finds. UMD 78 74
Britannia 28 24
Over the last 15 years, we’ve had 2081 finds, which is very Pre-protocol 16 13
impressive! Without the dredging industry, these finds would Brett 16 13
not have been discovered so we would like to send a big Lafartarm 12 7
thank you to every single one of you who contribute to the Kendalls 11 11
Protocol. We've had some very special finds over the years, Deme 8 8
some of which are featured on this page representing all eras Clubbs 5 5
of history. WARG 3 1
Lafarge 1 1
Which areas had the most/least
The table on the next page shows a breakdown of where finds Total 2081 887
have originated from in the last 15 years. Some areas have
changed their location, shape and size over the years but the
map on the next page is true as of 2020.

From the table it appears that areas 430, 360 and 240 have
the highest number of reported finds since 2005, although no
one area is more important than another.

Area 430 has produced several pieces of aircraft wreckage

including engine components, structural elements and internal
fittings, probably from a Junkers Ju 88. Several other
undiagnostic pieces of riveted aluminium and a saddle
magazine with ammunition from a German MG 15 machine
gun has also been reported from the area.

Waterlogged and mineralised wood (250 pieces) from an

eroding peat layer were reported from Area 360 along with
mineralised bone, fragments of deer antler and bone, a
fragment of worked flint, a mammoth tooth, and an elephant,
or possibly mammoth, atlas vertebra.

Area 240 is famous for producing Palaeolithic material

including handaxes, worked flints and a large quantity of CEMEX_0207 relish pot
animal bones and teeth belonging to a variety of animals
including woolly mammoth and woolly rhino (see Case
Study 2).

11
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Find spot
Area
0 100 km

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2020.

Distribution of find spots and areas covering 15 years of the Protocol

Region Licence Area Finds Region Licence Area Finds

Belgium 758 3 N/A Mixed 69
East Coast 202 1 N/A Unknown 114
East Coast 228 6 N/A N/A 1
East Coast 240 327 North West 175/2 2
East Coast 242 14 North West 392 2
East Coast 251 12 South Coast 122/1A 4
East Coast 254 25 South Coast 122/3 90
East Coast 296 19 South Coast 122/3C 3
East Coast 319 24 South Coast 123G 1
East Coast 328/1 1 South Coast 124/1A 3
East Coast 328A 1 South Coast 127 158
East Coast 360 277 South Coast 137 26
East Coast 361 15 South Coast 340 40
East Coast 401/2 14 South Coast 351 96
East Coast 401/2B 1 South Coast 372 1
East Coast 430 338 South Coast 372/1 23
East Coast 511 50 South Coast 395 2
East Coast 512 6 South Coast 395/1 156
East Coast 513/2 1 South Coast 395/2 2
East English Channel 458 15 South Coast 396 7
East English Channel 460 22 South Coast 396/1 3
East English Channel 461 9 South Coast 407 1
East English Channel 473 7 South Coast 451 4
East English Channel 474 3 South Coast 500/3 2
East English Channel 478 1 South West 377 1
Humber 102 1 South West 391 1
Humber 106/3 3 South West 472 2
Humber 106C 4 Thames Estuary 509/2 5
Humber 107 10 Thames Estuary 509/3 2
Humber 197 1 Thames Estuary 510/1 2
Humber 408 5 Thames Estuary 113/1 8
Humber 484 1 Thames Estuary 447 23
Humber 514/1 5 Thames Estuary 498 5
continues right Total 2081

12
 0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
5
0
1
2

10
15
20
25

North
Ai

South
rc
M r af
t

Belgium
isc
el
la
n An

West

West
eo An im
us i al
m bo An
al ne im
bo al
ne b on
e
Cu

East English Channel

tle
ry
M
et
Na al
ut de
ic br
al is
M
isc
el
la
ne
ou
s
Na
u tic Po
al Na tte
Or ut ry
dn ica
a l
nc
e
Or
dn
an
ce
Summary of discovered objects by Region

0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6

50
100
200
300
400

100
150

0
2
4
6
8
200
250

10
14
12
Ai An
Ai rc im
rc ra al Ai
Humber

r af An ft bo rc
ra
t i m ne ft
East Coast

An al
i m bo M

South Coast
al n e et
bo al An
n de im
e

Thames Estuary
br al
Cu is b
M tle on
e
et ry M
al M isc
de et el M
br al la isc
is de ne el
b ou la
M M
ris s ne
isc isc ou
el el s
la la
n eo ne
us o us
Na
ut
ica
l Na
Na ut
Na ut ica
ut ic al
Or
dn l
ic al an
Or ce
dn
an Or
Or c e Pa
dn
dn an
a Pa la ce
nc la eo
e e ol
lit
hi
ith c Pa
Pa ic la
la eo
e ol lit
Po hi
ith
ic tte Po
t c
ry te
r y

13
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Case Study 2 – Dagenham Wharf

As well as the Marine Aggregate Industry Archaeological
Protocol awareness visits, we also visit CEMEX Northfleet and
Hanson Frindsbury Wharves a few times a year to carry out a
programme of two-day archaeological operational sampling.
This involves the assessment of oversize cargo at the receiving
wharf by a team of two or three archaeologists.
Operational sampling was implemented as a result of the
discovery, in 2007/2008, of Palaeolithic artefacts including
handaxes, flakes and cores, as well as a series of prehistoric
animal bones, by Mr Jan Meulmeester in stockpiles of gravel at
SBV Flushing Wharf, Netherlands and reported through the
Protocol. The finds were recovered from aggregate dredged
from Licence Area 240, off the east coast and subsequently
published by Wessex Archaeology as a monograph (Tizzard
et al. 2015).
Guide (Historic England 2018) notes that the discoveries from
Licence Area 240 are comparable to the prehistoric sites of
Boxgrove and Happisburgh, where rare in situ deposits were
discovered, dating to over 800,000 BP (Parfitt 2010; Lewis
et al. 2019).
In September 2019, during the dredging and processing of
cargo from a new lane in Area 240, lane F10, three
megafaunal finds were reported by Arco Beck and Dagenham
Wharf; Hanson_0927 a single lamella (enamel plate) of an
upper molar of a woolly mammoth, Hanson_0929 a second
neck vertebra of an elephant, likely woolly mammoth, and

These discoveries from Licence Area 240 were of national

significance, and they were found to meet several of the
criteria set out in Identifying and Protecting Palaeolithic
Remains (English Heritage 1998) in relation to whether
Palaeolithic remains have particular importance. The high
quality of the finds being discovered suggested that: they were
in an undisturbed, primary context; the remains belong to a
period and geographic area where evidence of human
presence was particularly rare or was previously unknown;
there are well-preserved indicators of the contemporary
environment (ie: floral, faunal, sedimentological); and one
deposit containing Palaeolithic remains has a clear
stratigraphic relationship with another. In addition, Historic
England’s Sites of Early Human Activity: Scheduling Selection

0 50 mm

Hanson_0935 mammoth tooth from Area 240

Hanson_0931 a section of tusk. In early November 2019, a

Hanson Dagenham Site Champion, Aaron Chidgey with his finds
large mammoth tooth (Hanson_0935) was discovered on
board Arco Avon from the same area. Professor Adrian Lister
from the Natural History Museum concluded that this was a
virtually complete 3rd (last) molar of a woolly mammoth aged
about 35 years old. He said the top edge of the molar is
extremely worn, whereas the roots are in pristine condition
indicating that the roots were protected by being buried in the
skull until recently.

14
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Further reports were made to us from Dagenham Wharf of

several worked flint tools and animal bones, one of which
displayed unusual cut marks thought perhaps to be evidence
of butchery marks (Hanson_0937_001). Thanks to the rapid
reporting of finds by vessel and wharf staff, and early
recognition of their probable importance, it was possible to
plan an operational sampling visit for the following week to
assess the remaining cargo.

The oversized material was transported via a mechanical

shovel by an appointed machine driver to a concrete slab a
short distance away and spread. Two archaeologists from
Wessex Archaeology and one from Historic England along with
three staff members from Hanson visually inspected the cargo
for any archaeological material.

Once lane F10 had been identified as producing significant

material, an archaeological exclusion zone was placed around
the lane and dredging ceased to minimise disturbance to the
area and other potential finds.

In total, 30 flint artefacts (Hanson_0936 and Hanson_0938)

and 111 animal bones (Hanson_0937 and Hanson_0939)
were recovered from the cargo prior to and during the
monitoring works. Although artefacts from operational
sampling visits are usually reported on separately, in
this case, the finds were reported through the Protocol to
ensure the entire assemblage of 144 artefacts could be
recorded together.

One of the bones (below) was identified by Hanson’s own

Aaron Chidgey as having unusual markings, initially considered
to be possible butchery marks.

All the finds were bagged during the visit and transported
back to Wessex Archaeology’s Salisbury office where each
individual item was given a unique ID number, washed by the
finds team and photographed before being analysed by our
in-house specialists.
New bay at Dagenham Wharf for isolating Area 240 cargoes
Phil Harding, in-house flint expert, analysed all the flints and
determined that there were five handaxes dated to the Middle
Palaeolithic as well as 18 flakes, two possible flakes, a flint
blade, a core, and three natural flints that showed signs of
thermal fraction (Hanson_0938).

0 50 mm 0 50 mm

Hanson_0937_001 Woolly Rhino scapula (shoulder blade) Hanson_0938_001 hand axe from Area 240

15
 0 50 mm

Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Teeth marks on Hanson_0937_001 scapula bone Detail of fine butchery marks on an animal bone from Boxgrove

Lorrain Higbee examined all the animal bones (Hanson_0937

and Hanson_0939) and reported that most of the bones
belonged to mammoth but also included deer, aurochs, cattle,
horse and undiagnostic large mammals. The bone with
potential butchery marks (Hanson_0937_001) was taken to
the Natural History Museum to be inspected by animal bone
expert Simon Parfitt and marking specialist Dr Silvia Bello in
order to confirm what the marks were as well as the species it
belonged to. Simon instantly identified the bone as a rhino
scapula. Silvia analysed the bone under the microscope and
determined that the bone was not butchered/modified by
humans but had been chewed by animals, possibly hyenas.

For comparison, the Protocol Implementation Team were

shown other rhino scapulae from the Natural History
Museum’s collection; one from the site of Kent’s Cavern that
had been similarly chewed by hyenas and one from Boxgrove
that had actually been butchered by hominins. The butchery
marks on the Boxgrove bone (pictured) are so fine, they look
like they have been done with a needle, showing how sharp a
handaxe can be! The chewing marks appear much thicker. It is
important that any future bones found on any aggregate vessel
or at any wharf is examined for any visible markings that may
add to its archaeological value.

The analyses of the finds were included in a report produced

by Wessex Archaeology and sent to Hanson and Historic
England that outlined the importance of the finds discovered
and gave suggestions as to the potential of the new dredging
lanes within the exclusion zone.

A big thank you to all those who helped with the monitoring
work, and a special thank you to Dagenham employee Aaron
Chidgey who discovered several finds including handaxes and
the possible butchered bone, as well as being a valuable asset
to the archaeologists during their time there.
New display cabinet at Dagenham showcasing Area 240 finds
It was an honour to be able to return some of the finds to
Dagenham Wharf in September 2020 where a finds cabinet
has been purchased to showcase their finds. The finds were
consolidated and boxed at Wessex Archaeology which will
hopefully enable them to be admired for many years.

16
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Liaison and accessibility

Details of each discovery have been sent to: In the fifteenth year of the Protocol, one discovery was
made relating to aircraft (CEMEX_0948).
Mark Russell British Marine Aggregate
Producers Association Although the Protocol received a number of reports of
Stuart Churchley Historic England, Marine Planner artefacts which may relate to vessels as wreck
Neil Guiden Historic England, National Record material, none of them was thought to directly relate
of the Historic Environment to unknown and uncharted wreck sites. Consequently,
Andrew Cameron The Crown Estate no reports were forwarded to the United Kingdom
Nick Everington The Crown Estate Hydrographic Office in the 2019–2020 reporting year.
Mark Wrigley The Crown Estate
Information on each find has been forwarded to each
Details of discoveries regarded as wreck under the county HER relevant to the location of the
Merchant Shipping Act 1995 have been forwarded to archaeological discovery. In the case of a discovery
the Receiver of Wreck, Camilla Moore. In 2019–2020 where the original location is known, this will be the
the following reports that have droit numbers were HER closest to the dredging licence area. Discoveries
deemed to represent items of wreck: made at wharves where the licence area is unknown
are reported to the HER nearest to the wharf.
Report ID Droit number
Further details of liaison and the dissemination of
DEME_0932 231/19 data to interested parties are included in the wharf
CEMEX_0933 237/19 reports appended to this report.
CEMEX_0934 243/19
Hanson_0940 262/19
Hanson_0941 263/19
Hanson_0943 265/19
CEMEX_0944 015/20
CEMEX_0945 016/20
CEMEX_0946 018/20
CEMEX_0947 019/20
CEMEX_0948 026/20
Hanson_0953 025/20
Hanson_0954 030/20
CEMEX_0956 039/20
DEME_0957 040/20
Hanson_0959 047/20
Hanson_0960 048/20
DEME_0961 049/20
CEMEX_0962 056/20
CEMEX_0964 057/20
Hanson_0965 054/20
Hanson_0966 055/20
Hanson_0967 073/20
CEMEX_0968 121/20
CEMEX_0971 148/20

17
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Discussion
Covid-19
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of reports has
remained relatively consistent this reporting year. The
distribution of Dredged Up Issue 26 was affected by the
pandemic as the delivery of the newsletter from the printers
overlapped with uncertainties as to presence of staff at
wharves, whether physical copies of newsletters could be left
out and shared between staff, and members of the
Implementation Team working from home. Wharf visits that
normally take place between April and August were also
affected due to non-essential travel and social distancing
rules. We aim to visit 10 wharves a year and this year we were
unable to visit any to deliver awareness training. The
Implementation Team did visit two wharves to conduct
Operational Sampling which is separate from the Protocol.

Importance
Thirty five individual reports were raised during the
2019–2020 reporting year, although less than the number of
reports last year and less than the Protocol Implementation
Service’s expectation of around 50 reports a year, the reports
comprised 202 individual finds, and therefore over doubled
the 96 finds reported in the 2018-2019 reporting year..

CEMEX_0968 pottery sherd

The finds reported through the Protocol this year represent a

diverse range of periods, emphasising that the awareness
training is successful in providing background information
from all periods. The majority of the finds were Middle
Palaeolithic in date (Hanson_0938: Assemblage of Worked
Flints) and they ranged through to the modern period
(Hanson_0954: Bullets). The various archaeological material
and the amount that is still reported reiterates the
importance of the Protocol and demonstrates the wealth of
archaeological material still on the seabed. Investigations into
these finds expand our knowledge of the past and contribute
to our understanding.

Success
Hanson Dagenham have bought a display case to house the
finds discovered at the wharf from Area 240 which illustrates
their enthusiasm for the finds. Aaron Chidgey, who discovered
most of the finds, voluntarily became the Site Champion at the
Shoreham Wharf staff wharf as of November 2019 and has continued to do great
work there.
18
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

New contacts
Being updated with the most recent contacts for each
company has ensured that we are able to keep in touch and
request data from the correct people. This has helped the
Implementation Team get the latest information such as
trackplots and the news of a vessel retirement.
Timely reporting
The Receiver of Wreck must be notified of any wreck-related
material within 28 days of it being removed from the seabed.
Wreck-related finds include any artefacts that have come from
a ship or aircraft. The reporting time limit is a legal
requirement of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 that exists
regardless of the presence of a Protocol, and this is why the
Protocol Implementation Team will urge all finds to be reported
through the console as soon as they are found. It is vitally
important that any material discovered at the wharves or on
vessels be reported to the Protocol Implementation Team as
soon as possible. In addition to complying with legislative
requirements, timely reporting can lead to important success
stories, such as the discovery of a significant assemblage of
Palaeolithic finds from Licence Area 240 this year (as
discussed in Case Study 2). This would not have been possible
without prompt reporting, as the rest of the cargo would no
longer have been available for Operational Sampling and
archaeological assessment.
Less use of the console
There has been a decrease in the number of finds
reported through the console. Alternatively, Nominated
Contacts or wharves are emailing
protocol@wessexarch.co.uk with their finds and a
member of the Implementation Team will upload the
information to the console on their behalf. There are
some issues with this as it is felt information can be lost
if only images are sent to the email address, however,
those who report this way have started including the key
details needed. If not, the sender is contacted with a
preliminary discoveries form that requests details such
as which Licence Area the artefact was dredged from,
the date it was dredged and who found the object.
Regions with nil return
This year, there were no reports of finds among material
dredged from the Thames Estuary, North West or
South West regions.

There have been instances in the past where recovered

material accumulates over time before being reported as a
batch at a later date, most likely due to how busy the
Nominated Contacts are in their daily roles. The longer the
items are kept without being reported, the more detail is lost.
We therefore ask that all material is reported in a timely
fashion. The Protocol Implementation Team will notify the
Receiver of Wreck with the positional details of the find as
soon as possible and will follow up with additional information
as the find is assessed and a Wharf Report will be produced.

Recently, the reporting of finds has occurred soon after the

items are discovered which is a big improvement.

Angerstein Wharf staff

Key issues
The Protocol has not been rewritten since its inception and has
only had minor addendums appended to it relating to the
handling of specific finds, demonstrating the robustness and
effectiveness of the scheme. During each year of Protocol
implementation, minor operational situations are recognised,
and the Protocol Implementation Service develops and adapts
to overcome these. This year the following points have been
raised for discussion.
Companies with nil return
It is unfortunate that no finds have been reported from
Tarmac during the 2019−2020 reporting year, despite
emails between the Implementation Team and the
Nominated Contact enquiring whether any finds had
been discovered. In previous years, Tarmac have
reported the most finds and therefore it is unusual not to
have any finds reported.
19
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Discoveries 2019–2020

CEMEX_0971

Hanson_0953
Hanson_0959
Hanson_0960
Hanson_0965
Hanson_0966
Hanson_0967
Hanson_0935
Hanson_0936
Hanson_0937
Hanson_0938
Hanson_0939
Hanson_0940
Hanson_0941
Hanson_0943
Hanson_0954
Hanson_0955
CEMEX_0948
Hanson_0958
CEMEX_0951
Hanson_0969
CEMEX_0952
Hanson_0970
CEMEX_0964

CEMEX_0957
DEME_0932
DEME_0961

CEMEX_0934
CEMEX_0944
CEMEX_0933 CEMEX_0945
CEMEX_0956 CEMEX_0946
CEMEX_0962 CEMEX_0947
CEMEX_0968

Discovery location

Licence area
0 100 km
Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2020.

20

Artefact patterns and distribution
Through the use of a Geographic Information System or GIS
(ArcMap 10.6), patterns and trends such as artefact discovery
location and concentration can be studied. During the
reporting process, the Site Champions or Nominated Contacts
are asked to give the licence area number of the object, if
known or even the dredging vessel trackplot, if available.
Patterns in artefact concentration can potentially identify sites
of archaeological interest or debris fields or alternatively,
licence areas which are more likely to yield finds of
archaeological interest in the future. When a large
concentration is discovered from one area, it is useful to look
back at previous years to compare what that particular licence
area has yielded in the past.
Archaeological Exclusion Zones (AEZs) are positioned around
areas of significant archaeological material and it is prohibited
for dredging vessels to enter these areas. All AEZs located
within Licence Areas are included within the GIS, which is
useful when plotting finds of a contentious nature to note the
distance of discovery from a previous AEZ as tides are able to
move lighter objects from within these zones. The GIS is
updated any time a new AEZ is put into place which occurred
in November 2019 (Case Study 2).
Archaeological material is not distributed evenly on the
seabed. Some areas have a higher potential than others to
contain material that entered the archaeological record either
accidentally or deliberately. Some areas, such as the East
Coast, are known to have had Palaeolithic activity when sea
levels were lower than the present day. Other areas are known
to be post-Second World War dumping grounds which has
become apparent from artefact type and quantity in that area.
We also know which licence areas tend to yield more
munitions and should be approached with caution.
The kind of vessel used to dredge the seabed material may
also play a role in the quantity of archaeological material
recovered. Third party contract dredgers are larger and more
powerful, therefore they usually cut deeper into the seabed
while dredging. This may result in more material being
discovered in the cargo which is why information of the
delivering vessel is requested.
The survival of artefacts will depend on the marine
environment in which they lie. Many of the finds reported this
year, in contrast to previous years, were Palaeolithic in date.
As in previous years, there were also several modern finds
Millions of tonnes of
Region construction aggregate dredged
in 2019 (2018 quantity)
Humber 3.48 (2.78)
East Coast 4 (4.24)
Thames Estuary 1.3 (1.75)
East English Channel 4.3 (4.08)
South Coast 3.3 (3.44)
South West 1.37 (1.24)
North West 0.23 (0.29)
Unknown – 5 (3)
Totals
Table source: https://bmapa.org/documents/BMAPA_CE_22nd_Ann_Rep_2019.pdf
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020
reported, made of metal which tends to be a more durable
material in a harsh underwater environment in comparison to
organic finds. Finds such as wood or bone and teeth from
submerged prehistoric landscapes or shipwrecks may be
poorly preserved unless they are buried beneath fine grained
sediments, which may account for the generally low
percentage of finds received of this material. The high number
of artefacts of this type discovered this year may be due to the
discovery of an in situ site that has been buried for thousands
of years and that has not previously been exposed by dredging
(see Case Study 2). For finds to be discovered, the high
potential for loss or discard must coincide with a high potential
for the preservation of archaeological materials.
Based on potential and survival, some licence areas will
therefore contain more archaeological finds than others and
may be associated with more specific time periods than
others. Other factors, such as whether finds are discovered in
isolation or grouped with similar items, also add to their
context. In most cases, objects are reported as single isolated
finds, but we do occasionally receive reports of multiple items
found in the same location; this year aircraft material and
munitions being prime examples. The significance of a find
can therefore depend on its location as much as the nature of
object in itself.
Distribution of artefacts by dredging region
There are seven dredging regions around the UK:
• Humber • East English Channel
• Thames Estuary • South West
• South Coast North West
• East Coast
In the 2018–2019 reporting protocol year a trend established
as in previous years whereby most of the finds come from the
South Coast. However, this year, 20 out of the 35 reports came
from the East Coast.
Twelve of this year’s 35 reports came from the South Coast
and one from the Humber region. Two reports came from a
mixed cargo that may have come from the East Coast or the
East English Channel, therefore they are documented as being
from an unknown region.
No reports were received from cargoes dredged from the
North West, South West or Thames Estuary.
Number of finds reported
in 2019–2020
(2018–2019 number)
4 (1)
174 (32)
0 (0)
0 (7)
19 (53)
0 (0)
0 (0)
202 (96)
21
Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Distribution of artefacts by archaeological typology

Palaeolithic finds
During the 2019−2020 reporting year, the majority of the finds
were determined to be Palaeolithic in date (Hanson_0936,
Hanson_0937, Hanson_0938 and Hanson_0939), with most
originating from Area 240 which has produced previous finds
of this date. Most of these finds were discovered through a
programme of Operational Sampling (Case Study 2) that was
initiated through finds being reported through the Protocol.

Medieval artefacts
No medieval artefacts were discovered this year, although two
are believed to be from the post-medieval period (DEME_0957:
Jug) and (Hanson_0941: Pottery Sherd). 0 50 mm

Maritime artefacts Hanson_0938_006 Middle Palaeolithic Levallois flake

Most of the finds reported this year are believed to be
terrestrial while one is thought to relate to a boat or ship. This
report was made up of metal finds including a pipe cover and
gasket (Hanson_0953).

Hanson_0953 is not thought to be related to a wreck site, but

is an isolated discovery. It could have been lost overboard,
purposely dumped at sea, or moved along the seabed from a
wreck site elsewhere.

Aircraft
One discovery was made relating to aircraft (CEMEX_0948).

Ordnance and munitions

Several munitions were reported through the Protocol this year
ranging from a Palliser round (DEME_0932) and 6-pounder
0 50 mm
Hotchkiss head (CEMEX_0945) to a Browning heavy machine
gun (CEMEX_0944). Hanson_0941
Staff should adhere to company health and safety policies
before any ordnance is reported through the Protocol.

DEME_0932

0 100 mm

CEMEX_0945 Hanson_0953

22
 Annual Report to BMAPA 2019–2020

Conclusion
The Marine Aggregate Industry Archaeological Protocol Despite the challenges of Covid-19, contact has been
continues to be a relevant mitigation programme for licensed maintained with the wharf and vessel staff via email and the
marine aggregate extraction. It also continues to be a model online and hard copy circulation of the Dredged Up
from which other industries draw inspiration and a framework newsletters. It is also a success that reporting has not suffered
for reporting. It remains a successful and applicable template despite the pandemic.
for recording and preserving heritage on the seabed, for
gaining understanding about the unexpected discoveries and The Protocol Implementation Service Team would like to thank
for reaching audiences within the aggregate industry to everyone who has helped to support the Protocol during the
improve their knowledge and understanding of archaeology. 2019–2020 reporting year.
This is reiterated by the reports received this year from wharf
and vessel staff and the contact that has been maintained The future
with Nominated Contacts and Site Champions this reporting Protocol Implementation continues to be run by Wessex
year. Archaeology and finds are reported regularly. If you have any
questions about finds reporting and the Protocol, please
The application of the Protocol ensures that archaeological contact us via protocol@wessexarch.co.uk.
information is preserved through recording and timely
reporting and is disseminated as widely as possible, so that
everyone can enjoy and explore our underwater cultural
heritage. The fact that reports and images are uploaded to the
website and on to social media platforms, and that Dredged
Up is handed out at several outreach events has targeted a References
wider audience than just the marine aggregate industry. When Historic England 2018 Sites of Early Human Activity: Scheduling Selection
work experience students visit the Coastal & Marine team, the Guide. Swindon: Historic England.
work they do with us often revolves around the Protocol and
Parfitt, S. A., Aston, N. M., Lewis, S. G., Abel, R. L., Cooper, G. R., Field, M. H.,
the finds that have been reported. Recently, photogrammetry Gale, R., Hoare, P. G., Larkin, N. R., Lewis, M. D., Karloukovski, V., Maher, B. A.,
models were made of finds that each student found most Peglar, S. M., Preece, R. C., Whittaker, J. E. and Stringer, C. B. 2010 Early
interesting and the results have been published on Wessex Pleistocene human occupation at the edge of the boreal zone in northwest
Europe. Nature 466(7303), 229–233.
Archaeology’s social media platforms. This year’s student
placement, Daisy Turnbull, an MA student at the University of Lewis, S. G., Ashton, N., Field, M. H., Hoare, P. G., Kamermans, H., Knul, M.,
Southampton, was unfortunately cut short due to Covid-19 Mücher, H. J., Parfitt, S. A., Roebroeks, W., and Sier, M. J. 2019 Human
restrictions, however even in her short time in the Salisbury occupation of northern Europe in MIS 13: Happisburgh Site 1 (Norfolk, UK) and
its European context. Quaternary Science Reviews 211(1), 34–58.
office, she had the opportunity to explore data of discoveries
reported through the Protocol. Tizzard, L., Bicket, A. and De Loecker, D. 2015 Seabed Prehistory: Investigating
the Palaeogeography and Early Middle Palaeolithic Archaeology in the Southern
North Sea. Salisbury: Wessex Archaeology, WA Monograph 35.
The enthusiasm and diligence of wharf and vessel staff
ensures the success of the Protocol. This was particularly true
this reporting year when Dagenham bought a display cabinet
to showcase the finds discovered there. Everyone’s support
has ensured that the Protocol has become embedded in
commercial processes, which in turn reduces the impact of
dredging on underwater cultural heritage, by making the
archaeological record available for future generations. The
commitment of Hanson Wharf and vessel staff was also
highlighted by the rapid reporting of discoveries in aggregate
dredged from Licence Area 240, and the assistance of wharf
staff during Operational Sampling was greatly appreciated.

23
email: protocol@wessexarch.co.uk
www.wessexarch.co.uk/projects/marine/bmapa/index.html

wessex
archaeology

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Tel 0207 963 8000 Tel 0207 851 5311 Tel 0207 973 3000 Tel 01722 326867
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